Security firm G DATA has come out with a new report claiming that over a million new Android malware strains have been uncovered in the second quarter of 2015. It’s important to note that not all devices will be affected, most of the devices they are pointing to seem to be Chinese made such as Huawei, Xiaomi and Lenovo. The firm claims the devices have pre-installed spyware embedded into the firmware. They also make it clear they believe the spyware/malware is the work of third-party distributors and not the manufactures themselves.
An estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide use a smartphone or tablet to go online. Chatting, surfing and shopping are possible anytime, anywhere thanks to smartphones and tablets. At the same time, the number of mobile malware apps has sharply increased in the past three years. Over the past year we have seen a significant increase in devices that are equipped with firmware-level spyware and malware out of the box which can take a wide range of unwanted and unknown actions including accessing the Internet, read and send text messages, install apps, access contact lists, obtain location data and more – all which can do detrimental damage.
Christian Geschkat, G DATA Mobile Solutions Product Manager
The third-party distributors seem to be modifying the devices with tracking software and apps that generate ad revenue for them. In some cases there is even malware that is designed to steal users data and personal information. G DATA is making an estimate of over 2 million Android malware strains by the end of 2015.
Last Updated on November 27, 2018.
